Personal Fitness Professional - October 2008 - (Page 9)

CONTROVERSIES THE IDEAL PROSPECT, TREMBLING IN A PUDDLE OF FEAR BY PHIL KAPLAN after mastering the science of physical change, to pursue mastery of the evocation of fear. Many personal trainers vehemently reject the statement, and I anticipate that many who experience the knee-jerk rejection will come to understand the virtues of the point being made. I want to share those thoughts and theories that have allowed me to ﬁnd ease in turning “I know I should… but” into “Yes, yes, yes.” I theorize that there is no greater motivator than channeled fear. I further theorize there are few emotions more crippling than anxiety. There is a distinctive diﬀerence between fear and anxiety, one that should be understood by anyone seeking enhanced persuasion skills. Anxiety is a general sense of uncomfortable apprehension. It causes tentative pursuit, indecision, uncertainty, and it can be self-perpetuating. Anxiety can be expressed as “I’m worried about my health” or “I’m feeling nervous about my lack of energy.” When anxiety can be directed toward something speciﬁc, a menace that can be defeated, eliminated or dissolved, that anxiety can prompt directed action initiated by the conversion of anxiety into fear. CURRENT “I urge personal trainers, Eavesdropping on the Real World Mitch’s wife watches him coming down the steps, ﬁrst his shoes, then his knees, then… “Your pants are so tight; you look like the waistline is going to burst. ” “Ah, c’mon. These are a 37” waist. ” “Well, they’re too tight. ” “Can’t we go to dinner without the commentary? There’s no way my waist is more than 37”. I’m just bloated from the junk we ate last week. ” “Get yourself to the gym. You’re getting too fat. ” “I don’t have time. It’s tax season. ” Mitch, the following day, enters Juan’s house to watch the MMA championships on the big LCD screen. Juan, surrounded by four buddies, almost chokes on his beer. “Mitch, what month are you in?” “Oh, like you guys are all ab models?” “Hey, at least we work out. Why don’t you come with us for a bike ride Saturday?” “I can’t. That’s my morning with the kids. ” If only Mitch could be zipped away to a private corner for the following mindset shift: “Mitch, my name is the Angel of Death, and this is the Grim Reaper. You have three minutes. Say goodbye to your family. ” “What?! No! Please!! I’ll do anything. I’ll eat ﬁber! I’ll stop drinking alcohol! I’ll even drink those horrible green drinks my wife mixes up. I’ll join the gym! I’ll walk, I’ll run, I’ll even use the health club machines. I’ll even take yoga if I have to. I’m ready to go to the gym now! Gotta go guys, I have a membership to buy. ” The Reaper speaks from beneath his hood, “Mitch, joining a gym doesn’t do anything for most people. It’s time for you to say goodbye. You’ve already wasted a minute and a half. Of course, if you committed to retain and listen to a personal trainer… ” “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Mitch was anxious about his waistline, his wife’s opinions and the ribbing he’d get from his buddies. He rationally understood the direction he was headed, but without directing that anxiety into fear of an impending moment of dread, he gets swallowed by procrastination. Fear Works Salespeople use it. I know. I was on the receiving end of the “baby-prooﬁng evaluation.” The “expert” loved my house. He admired the square cocktail table as he assured me the sharp corner ➤ OCTOBER2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 9 http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Personal Fitness Professional - October 2008

Personal Fitness Professional - October 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor, Writers Current Controversies Combating with Obesity Pilates and Yoga for Athletes New! The Balancing Act The Top Prize Building a Base of Special Populations Datebook The Success Image The Anatomy of a Fitness Assessment Branding Training Ruts Product Profile New on the Market

Personal Fitness Professional - October 2008

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